Over the course of doing Young Life I have run into kids who remind me of old friends. This has only happened a handful of times, but each time has proved very significant. For example in 2001 I was on Summer Staff at Sharp Top after my freshman year of college. I had just completed my first year of leading Young Life and had met Jeff City 14 year old Bailey Wilson. My Summer Staff coordinator that summer at Sharp Top was Ann Gregory from Houston and she instantly reminded me of Bailey. As I spent the month with Ann and got to know her very well, I couldn't shake the resemblance to Bailey. Ann is amazing. During our last week working at camp together I shared with her that I had a Young Life kid back home who reminded me of her and how seeing Ann living out her faith so well gave me a picture of who Bailey could become and what her life could look like if Jesus were a part of it. Watching Ann was like looking into the future I wanted for Bailey.
I ran into Ann this summer at Windy Gap. I hadn't seen her since that summer at Sharp Top 8 years ago! As proof of how incredible she is, she actually remembered me after all those years and greeted me excitedly. I shared with her the story about Bailey again and was able to report that Bailey did end up meeting Jesus and that we had attended her wedding just a few weeks earlier that summer. Ann inspired my hope for Bailey and that hope was fulfilled.
Daniel and I have a kid at West right now who reminds us of our good friend Matt Roach. We've known Matt since high school, led Young Life with him at Jeff City, and still maintain a friendship with him. Everyone who knows Matt loves Matt. He is defined by his enthusiasm for life and passion for Jesus. Matt was at our leadership retreat this weekend and we got a chance to pray with him last night. As we were praying Daniel and I were both moved to tears as we began praying for our friend at West who has so much of Matt's heart and spirit. Just like Bailey, we prayed that our friend would come to know how loved he is by God and that his life would be changed by that love. And then Matt prayed for our friend. It was a profound experience to listen to Matt pray for this kid who is just a stranger to him, but like him in so many ways.
I'm so grateful that God has sent examples like Ann and Matt to encourage me and Daniel as we try to lead lost kids. It can be hard to envision some kids ever accepting the love of Christ. Faith is believing in what is unseen, but sometimes God helps me along by giving me pictures of what could be. Watching Matt this weekend and praying alongside him, helped us to overflow with hope for what could be in the life of our new high school friend who we love and who God loves even more. I was able to tell Ann this summer that Bailey met Jesus. Ironically Matt prayed that by this time next year, Daniel would be able to share with him that this kid had indeed met Christ. I look forward to that day where we can share the good news.
Matt and his babe of a wife Carly.
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